Antennas



Nov. 22, 1955 F. J. KLANCNIK, .JR

ANTENNAS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 16, 195] NGV- 22, 1955 F. J. KLANCNIK, .1R

ANTENNAS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f/zUeUZLO:

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Filed Oct. 16, 1951 ANIENNAS Frank J. Klancnik, Jr., Chicago, Ill., assignor to -Hi-Lo TV Antenna Corp., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application October 16, 1951, Serial No. 251,536

17 Claims. (Cl. Z50- 33) The present invention relates in general to radio wave antennas, and has more particular reference to an improved radio antenna adapted to resonate in response to radio waves of unlike frequency.

An important object of the invention is to provide an antenna structure adapted for manufacture at low cost through the employment of exceedingly inexpensive components adapted for easy assembly to provide an antenna structure having the inherent ability to resonate in response to a plurality of radio wave impulses of unlike frequency; a further object being to provide an antenna structure having a principal element or elements adapted to resonate in response to radio waves of relativelyy high frequency, and a cooperating element responsive to Waves of relatively low frequency. l

Another important object is to provide an antenna structure wherein the frequency wave responsive elements comprise inexpensive exible ilamentary elements of electrical conducting material, such as metal wire or strips of foil material; a further object being to provide inexpensive support means for mounting the lamentary elements in a desired relative relationship in the antenna structure; a still further object being to provide for housing and enclosing the foil elements in the structure to preserve and protect the same against mechanical damage in service.

Another important object is to provide an antenna structure of the character' mentioned including a mounting form of suitable inexpensive electrically non-conducting material upon which the radio wave responsive elements may be readily mounted and supported, and an inexpensive, readily applied, casing means of electrically non-conducting material for enclosing and protecting the relatively fragile wave responsive elements on the mounting form.

Another important object is to provide an antenna structure comprising a hollow sleeve-like mounting of electrically non-conducting material, such as card or paper-board, or ber or plastic material, a wave responsive element wound upon the outer surfaces of the sleeve` like member and secured in place thereon in any convenient fashion, an additional wave responsive element, or elements, secured within the sleeve-like member in condition inductively coupled with the outer element and electrically insulated therefrom, and casing means of electrically non-conducting material snugly enclosing and enveloping the sleeve-like mounting member and the wave responsive elements mounted thereon; a further object being to employ a pair of sleeve-like casing members adapted respectively for application upon the sleeve-like mounting member from the opposite ends thereof in order to entirely enclose the same within the casing members.

Another important object is to provide an inexpensive support standard for mounting the antenna structure in operative position for electrical connection with radio receiving apparatus, with which the structure is adapted for connection, said means embodying a bracket on the antenna structure and secured thereto by means of elec- 2,724,773 Patented Nov. 22, 1955 ICC trical coiiducting studs having electrical connection with certain of said wave responsive elements, and through Which studs said elements may be electrically connected with associated radio apparatus, said bracket being formed to removably receive a support rod for mounting the antenna structure thereon; a further object being to provide an inexpensive pedestal or base member of novel construction in which the support rod may be removably mounted for the support of the antenna structure on said pedestal or base member.

The foregoing and numerous important objects, advantages and inherent functions of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of an antenna structure embodying the present invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are enclosed sectional views, respectively talen substantially along the lines 2-2 and 3 3 in Figure l;

Figure 4 is an exploded View showing in perspective the several parts of the antenna structure.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modiiied antenna structure embodying the invention;

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective View taken substantially along the line 6-6 in Figure 5;

Figures 7 and 9 are enlarged sectional views showing portions of the structure iliustrated in Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8 3 in Figure 7.

To illustrate the invention, the drawings show radio wave antennas 1l comprising a plurality of radio wave responsive elements including means 12, sized during the manufacture thereof, so as to resonate in response to radio waves of a desired frequency, and means 13 comprising a cage inductively coupled with, and electrically insulated from, the means 12 and sized during fabrication thereof to tune it for response to radio waves of frequency different from that to which the means l2 is pre-tuned.

The means 12 and the means 13, which form the wave responsive elements, may comprise electrically conducting material of fragile, flexible, lamentary character. Metal wire, of course, may be employed for the purpose, although in the interests of low cost and manufacturing expediency, metal strip material of foil-like character is preferably used.

The wave responsive means 12, as shown in Figures 1-4, may comprise a pair of members 14 disposed in end to end relationship in the structure in position forming dipole antenna elements having adjacently disposed inner ends 15 adapted for electrical connection with associated radio apparatus. The present invention, however, is not necessarily limited to a di-pole antenna structure, but its novel features, as shown in Figures 5-8, may be incorporated in a structure in which the wave responsive means i2 comprises a single element forming a so-called folded di-poie antenna element having opposite ends adapted for electrical connection with associated radio apparatus.

The wave responsive means 13 may conventionally comprise tilamentary means, such as a strip of metal foil, arranged in helical form to provide a cage inductively coupled with, electrically insulated from, and enclosing the wave responsive means 12, from end to end thereof. While the invention is not necessarily limited to the helical arrangement of the wave responsive means 13, but includes other cage forming arrangements of said means, the helical arrangement is preferred as a low cost manufacturing expedient in the manufacture of the antenna structure.

In addition to the wave responsive elements 12 and 13,

the structure comprises a mounting member 16 of inexpensive insulating material, silch as card or paper-board, or fibrous or plastic material, the mounting member preferably comprising a hollow open-ended tube of appropriate length and sectional size. The wave responsive means 12, whether the same comprises a single folded di-pole element, as shown in Figures 5-8, or a plurality of elements 14, as shown in Figures l-4, is mounted within the sleeve-like member 16 and secured in place in any suitable or preferred fashion. As shown, the outer ends of the elements 14 may be folded upon and secured to the opposite ends of the member 16, as by means of staples 17 applied through the ends of the member 16 and the folded ends of the members 14, on one side of the tube. Alternately, the folded ends of the members 14 may be secured, as by means of cement, adhesive tape, or in any other conventional fashion.

The inner ends 1S of the members 14 may be secured to the opposite side of the sleeve-like member 16 in spaced apart relationship at the medial portions thereof, preferably by means of screw threaded studs 13, which may be provided with washers 19 for clamping the inner ends of the members 14 upon the inner face of the sleevelike member 16. rThe studs 1S may project outwardly of the member 16 through lateral openings therein to provide for electrically connecting the di-pole antenna 12 with associated radio equipment.

The wave responsive element 13 may be applied helically upon the outer surfaces of the member 16 by means of a simple foil winding operation. If desired, the element 1.3 may be cemented in place, or, as shown, the opposite ends of the element may be folded over the opposite ends of the sleeve-like member 16 and secured thereto as by means of staples 2Q, or in any other convenient fashion.

So mounted, it will be seen that the means 12 cornprises a di-pole antenna and that the cage, comprising the means 1.3, is inductively coupled with said di-pole antenna. Since the cage is in close, inductively coupled, proximity with the di-pole antenna means, its impedance is increased, providing an improved impedance match with the radio apparatus with which the antenna may be connected. Furthermore, the di-pole antenna means, of course, may be accurately sized to respond to radio waves of a desired frequency, such as waves in the high frequency television band. The di-pole antenna means thus may be, in a sense, pre-tuned during manufacture, thus avoiding the necessity of supplying adjustable tuning means, such as sliding contacts and the like. The inductively coupled cage means 13 may also be sized during fabrication thereof to tune it for response to radio waves of frequency different from that to which the di-pole means is pre-tuned, as, for example, radio waves in the low frequency television band, thereby avoiding the necessity of supplying adjustable tuning means, such as sliding contacts, which are apt to become loose and noisy in service.

Energy in the high frequency wave band, received by the di-pole means, may be transferred thence to the connected radio apparatus. Energy in the low frequency wave band may be received on the cage means 13 and reflected thence by induction upon the di-pole means 12, and so transferred to the connected radio equipment. The antenna is thus highly responsive to radio waves in several bands of unlike frequency, and has the additional advantage of improved impedance match with the apparatus to which it may be connected. Furthermore, the device is of unusually simple construction and comprises a minimum number of inexpensive parts that may be quickly and easily assembled at low cost.

In order to protect the fragile wave responsive elements, particularly the cage forming element 13, the structure may include casing means entirely enclosing the mounting member 16 and the wave responsive means 12 and 13 thereon. To this end, the casing means may conveniently comprise a pair of sleeve-like members 21 sized and shaped to snugly enclose the opposite ends of the member 16, said casing me'mbers 21 preferably comprising tubes of identical size and closed, each at one end thereof, as by means of end closure plates 22.

The casing members 21 may comprise any suitable or preferred non-metallic insulating material, such as paper or cardboard, or fiber or plastic material. They may be assembled simply by sliding them into position enclosing the opposite ends of the sleeve member 16, including the wave responsive cage means 13 supported thereon, the casing members 21 being sized so that their open facing ends come into abutting relationship when in mounted position on the member 16; and the members 21 may be secured in mounted position, as by means of a strip of adhesive binding tape 23 wrapped upon and about the meeting ends of the members 21.

In order to accommodate the spaced studs 18, the meeting ends of the members 21 may be provided with longitudinal slits 24. To cover and enclose said slits, and to provide inexpensive means for supporting the antenna in position, a bracket 25 may be provided. This bracket may comprise an inexpensive molding of plastic material of bar-like character having ends provided with channels spaced apart to receive therethrough the projecting ends of the studs 18, whereby to secure the bracket 25 upon the antenna structure in position covering the slits 24, the bracket being so held in place by means of nuts 26 applied on the projecting ends of the studs 18 to clampingly secure the bracket 25 in the structure. The studs 18 may be provided with additional nuts 27 threadingly connected therewith outwardly of the nuts 26 to provide for attaching electrical lead conductors with the studs 18 and, hence, with the di-polc antenna means 12, to thus provide for the electrical connection of the di-pole means with associated radio equip ment with which said lead conductors may be electrically connected.

The bracket 25 may be formed with a socket 28 located preferably medially between the stud channels thereof and sized to receive an end of a support rod 29. Said end of the rod, if desired, may be formed with a diametrical slot 30 to impart resilience for the frictional and detachable application of the so slotted end of the rod in the mounting socket 28 in the bracket.

Means forming a pedestal or base 31 may be provided for supporting the mounting rod 29 in upright position. Said pedestal 31 may conveniently comprise an inexpensive molded plastic element of generally conical shape affording a relatively wide base 32 for engagement with any planar supporting surface. The base 32, if desired, may be provided with socketed embossments 33 spaced around the periphery thereof for the reception of foot elements of resilient rubber-like character to protect the surface of furniture upon which the pedestal may be applied for support. The upper portions of the pedestal 31 may be formed with a screw threaded cavity 34 adapted to threadingly engage, and hence to detachably receive, the lower end of the mounting rod 29; and the rod 29, to that end, may be fitted with an externally threaded sleeve 35 secured thereto in any suitable fashion, as by shrinking or peening the sleeve upon the end of the rod.

Where it is desired to embody the invention in a folded di-pole antenna structure, as shown in Figures 5-9. the di-pole means 12, of course, may comprise a single lament or strip 14 attached at its opposite ends to the opposite ends of the sleeve member 16, as at one side thereof, the medial portions of said strip being secured to the opposite side of the member 16, medially thereof, as by means of a rivet, staple or clip 18. In such an arrangement, suitable means may be provided for electrically connecting the opposite ends of the single folded di-pole element with the radio apparatus with which the antenna is employed, as by providing Contact amarre E; making terminals 36 in position on the cover members 21 to afford electrical contact with the opposite ends of the single di-pole element, such contact making terminals providing for the electrical connection therewith of lead conductors, outwardly of ehe casing members 21.

To these ends, the terminals 36 may comprise crimped eyelet portions 37 adapted to be crimpingly secured in suitable openings formed in the side walls of the casing elements 21 adjacent the end covers 22 thereof, said terminals 36 including contact blade portions 38 presented on the inner side of the casing elements 21 in position to form electrical contact with the opposite ends of the folded di-pole element 14', when the casing elements 21 are mounted in enclosing position on the sleeve member 16. The terminals 36 may also include socket forming portions 39 opening outwardly of the casing elements 21 for the mechanical and electrical connection of the antenna structure in a suitable support structure.

The support structure may include a base plate 4i) preferably comprising a block of insulating material of any preferred form and having a pair of spaced apart mounting sockets 41 therein. The support structure may also include a pair of stems 42 having ends 43 sized for firm frictional interiitting engagement in the sockets 41. By inserting the bared ends of lead conductors of a cable in the sockets 41, and by thereafter inserting the stem ends 43 in said sockets, the stems may be readily interconnected electrically with the lead conductors and thus connected with radio equipment through the cable. The stems 42 are preferably bent, as shown, in order to dispose the base remote ends thereof in relatively widely spaced relationship, in position for snug, frictionally interftted and detachable reception in the socket prtions 39 of the terminals 36, to thereby electrically connect said terminals, and hence the opposite ends of the di-pole element 14 with the lead conductor cable, through the stems 42, and simultaneously to mechanically support the antenna structure in operative position on the base 4G. If desired, suitable latch means may be formed on the ends of the stems 42 and on the terminals 3-5 for securing the ends of the stems in mounted position in said terminals.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, and without sacriiicing any of its attendant advantages, the forms herein disclosed being preferred embodiments for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

`l. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, Iilamentary 'material forming antenna means extending longitudinally of and secured on and within said sleeve, and wave responsive means comprising lamentary material sup* ported upon and in position overlying the outer surfaces of said sleeve and forming a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means.

2. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, iilamentary material forming antenna means extending longitudinally of and secured on and within said sleeve, and wave responsive means comprising metal foil ribbon wrapped upon the outer surfaces of said sleeve in position forming a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means.

3. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, filamentary material forming antenna means extending longitudinally of and secured on and within said sleeve, and wave responsive means comprising lamentary material helically wrapped upon the outer surfaces of said sleeve in posi- 6 tion forming a cage insulated from and inductively couj pled with said antenna means.

4. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, lamentary material forming antenna means mounted on and Within and extending longitudinally of said sleeve, said lamentary material being secured medially of the sleeve on one side thereof and being secured also at the ends of the sleeve at the opposite side thereof, and wave responsive means comprising tilamentary material supported upon and in position overlying the outer surfaces of said sleeve and forming a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means.

5. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, filamentary material forming antenna means extending longitudinally of and secured on and within said sleeve, wave responsive means comprising ilamentary material supported upon and in position overlying the outer surfaces of said sleeve and forming a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means, and sleeve-like casing means snugly enclosing and enveloping said sleeve and said wave responsive means to secure the latter in mounted position upon said sleeve.

6. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, filamentary material forming antenna means extending longitudinally of and secured on and within said sleeve, wave responsive means comprising filamentary material supported upon and in position overlying the outer surfaces of said sleeve and forming a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means, and a pair of tubular casing members snugly enclosing and enveloping said sleeve and the lamentary wave responsive means to secure the latter in mounted position on said sleeve, said tubular members being mounted in abutting end-to-end relation on the sleeve.

7. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, lamentary material forming antenna means extending longitudinally of and secured on and within said sleeve, Wave responsive means comprising iilarnentary material supported upon and in position overlying the outer surfaces of said sleeve and forming a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means, said lanientary antenna means having ends anchored on and at opposite ends of the sleeve, and means to electricaliy connect said anchored ends with associated electrical equipment outwardly of the sleeve.

8. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, :Elementary material forming antenna means extending longitudinally of and secured on and within said sieeve, wave responsive means comprising lamentary material supported upon and in position overlying the outer surfaces of said sleeve and forming a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means, said antenna means comprising a pair of iiiamentary members extending in opposite directions from the medial portions of said sleeve toward the opposite ends thereof, and terminal means anchoring said members medialy of the sleeve, said terminal means extending outwardly of the sieeve for electrically connecting said members with associated electrical equipment outwardly of the sleeve. Y

9. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, filamentary material forming antenna means extending longitudinally of and secured on and within said sleeve, wave responsive' means comprising ilamentary material supported upon and in position overlying the outer surfaces of said sleeve and forming a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means, tubular casing means snugly enclosing and enveloping said sleeve and the flamentary wave responsive means to secure the latter in mounted position on said sleeve, said ilamentary antenna means having ends anchored on and at the opposite ends of the sleeve, and contact terminals on said casing means for electrically connecting the anchored ends of said antenna means with associated electrical equipment outwardly of the sleeve.

10. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a supoprt, elongated filamentary material forming antenna means mounted on and Within and extending longitudinally of said sleeve, wave responsive means comprising ribbon of metal foil supported upon the outer surfaces of said sleeve in position forming a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means, tubular casing means snugly embracing the sleeve and said cage in position enclosing and securing said ribbon rmly in place on said sleeve, and terminal means extending through said casing means in position electrically connected with said antenna means to provide for electrically connecting the same with associated electrical equipment outwardly of said casing means.

11. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, elongated filamentary material forming antenna means mounted on and within and extending longitudinally of said sleeve, wave responsive means comprising ribbon of metal foil supported upon the outer surfaces of said sleeve in position forming a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means, a pair of tubular casing elements of insulating material each having an open and a closed end and sized to snugly and telescopically enclose the sleeve, said elements being mounted respectively upon the opposite ends of said sleeve, with the open ends of said elements in abutting engagement at the middle of the sleeve, thereby enclosing and securing said ribbon firmly in place on said sleeve, and a terminal element on and extending outwardly of each of said tubular elements for electrically connecting said antenna means with associated electrical equipment outwardly of said casing elements.

l2. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, antenna means comprising elongated lamentary material mounted on and within and extending longitudinally of said sleeve, Wave responsive means comprising lamentary material applied upon the outer surfaces of said sleeve to form a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means, tubular casing means snugly embracing the sleeve and said cage to enclose and support said lamentary Wave responsive means in place upon said sleeve, a bracket secured on said structure outwardly of said casing means, said bracket being formed with a socket and a pair of terminal channels, terminals in said channels and extending within said sleeve at the medial portions thereof in position electrically connected with said antenna means, said terminals comprising fastening means for securing the bracket upon the antenna structure, and said bracket being adapted for removable connection upon the end of a support stem sized to interiit said socket.

13. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, antenna means comprising elongated filamentary material mounted on and within and extending longitudinally of said sleeve, said filamentary material being secured to the sleeve at the opposite ends as well as medially of said sleeve, wave responsive means comprising lamentary material applied upon the outer surfaces of said sleeve to form a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means, tubular casing means snugly embracing the sleeve and said cage to enclose and support said tilamentary wave responsive means in place upon said sleeve, terminal means on said casing means in position forming electrical connection with said lamentary antenna means at the opposite ends of said sleeve, said terminal means forming pockets on and opening outwardly of said casing means in position to detachably receive and electrically connect with spaced apart conductor rods for supporting the structure and electrically connecting said lamentary antenna means with associated electrical equipment outwardly of said casing means.

14. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, metal foil ribbon material forming antenna means mounted on and within and extending longitudinally of said sleeve, said ribbon material being secured medially of the sleeve on one side thereof and being secured also at the ends of the sleeve at the opposite side thereof, and wave responsive means comprising filamentary material supported upon and in position overiying the outer surfaces of said sleeve and forming a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means.

l5. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, iilamentary material forming antenna means mounted on and within and extending longitudinally of said sleeve, said filamentary material being secured medially of the sleeve on one side thereof and being also secured to the end of the sleeve at the opposite side thereof, and wave responsive means comprising metal foil ribbon material wrapped upon and supported 'oy the outer surfaces of said sleeve in position forming a cage insulated in and inductively coupled with said antenna means.

16. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, metal foil ribbon material forming antenna means mounted on and within and extending longitudinally of said sleeve, said ribbon material being secured medially of the sleeve on one side thereof and being secured also at the end of the sleeve at the opposite side thereof, and wave responsive means comprising metal foil ribbon material wrapped upon and supported by the outer surfaces of said sleeve in position forming a cage insulated in and inductively coupled with said antenna means.

17. Antenna structure comprising a tubular sleeve of insulating material forming a support, metal foil ribbon material forming antenna means mounted on and within and extending longitudinally of said sleeve, said ribbon material being secured medially of the sleeve on one side thereof and being secured also at the end of the sleeve at the opposite side thereof, and Wave responsive means comprising ilamentary material Wrapped upon and supported by the outer surfaces of said sleeve in position forming a cage insulated from and inductively coupled with said antenna means and enclosing casing comprising sleeve means of insulating material snugly enclosing and enveloping said tubular sleeve and said wave responsive means to hold the same firmly in mounted position upon said sleeve.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,575,824 Eiffert Mar. 9, 1926 1,803,620 Jester May 5, 1931 2,440,597 Atwood Apr. 27, 1948 2,495,579 Ferris et al. Jan. 24, 1950 2,542,884 Trebules et al Feb. 20, 1951 2,551,664 Galper May 8, 1951 2,563,243 Hills Aug. 7, 1951 2,575,377 W'ohl Nov, 20, 1951 2,583,745 Miller Ian. 29, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 752,989 France July 31, 1933 946,920 France Dec. 27, 1948 

